Night shift

Hey folks! I haven't been to the site as often as I used to be. I've got a new job, and my wake/sleep cycle is flipped. I'm working night shift as a stocker at Confed Wal-Mart. So my normal daily routine has changed, and I'm still trying to figure out when I should be sleeping, and when I should be "sitting in the ass groove" at home, after a long "day" at work.

And, not to bad-mouth Petland, but these two jobs are like night and day! I would highly recommend trying to get hired at Wal-Mart, for those looking for a job, any job.

The people I work with are so friendly, and instantly accepting. It reminds me of being in a small town… even if you pass a stranger on the street, you look them in the eye and say hello, with a smile. When I worked at PL, you had to be part of a select group, before you were considered a team member. Very "clique-y". In fact, a few workers wanted to stop me from going into the back rooms at Petland, thinking I was a customer. I had to inform them that I worked there, and had for weeks. Pretty sad, huh? I didn't even get a name tag.

We'll just leave the differences there… I don't want to be accused of slander. ;o)

I'm enjoying the new job quite a bit. Meeting some neat-o people, and find I'm starting to rethink my previous view of city people (I'm from a farm, you may remember.. our cultures ARE very different). So it's all good. :o)

So, apart from that, I'll be able to spend more money, since I'm working for a paycheck now. :oD Entering bills will help me stay awake through the night on my nights off.

Which brings me to this question: Does anyone out there work night shifts? Can you give me some tips on making the switch to nightowldom?

cheezie

Does anyone out there work night shifts? Can you give me some tips on making the switch to nightowldom?

I have worked nights every second week for the last 13 years, and every 3rd week for the 10 years before that. So I have picked up a few 'tips'

First of all, it helps to be genetically a 'night' person. It runs in our family, so that's a bonus.

I work from 11PM to 6:30AM (no 'official' lunch break) starting Sunday night to Friday morning, which is like getting a long weekend every second week.

So my routine on a week I am working nights is:
Sunday: Get up early. Like 7am, but no later than 9. Take a 3 hour afternoon nap, usually 2-5.

Monday thru Thursday: Get home, glass of warm milk (mmmchocolate), relax on the computer to unwind till about 8. Sleep till 4 or 5PM. (I get a LOT more sleep working nights than on any other shift!). Get up, have a big breakfast (otherwise know as supper). DO NOT SLEEP IN THE EVENINGS! It only makes you tired all night.

Friday: Go to sleep as soon as possible. Get up about noon to 1PM. Ready to party!

Hey there!

Night shift. How fun! I recommend when you restock the alarm clocks you set them to go off at various hours in the day. HA HA! Just kidding, just a thought.
Nights are my specialty. I've been working nights since '94 and even though I have the seniority I wouldn't change it for the world.

Its easier to go to the bank teller and get your bills during the day especially in the morning before it gets too busy, then you have all day when all the 9-5 'ers are at work and school to spend your bills. Movies starting playing at noon and one and you pay the cheapest prices. No lineups at the grocery store and you get first choice at stock. Avoid going out too early as the many school buses on the road slow traffic, and not around 3-4pm as kids and buses are out in full swing at this time as well.

I get home at about 8am and usually I'm in bed by now if I'm not on the computer checking out my hits. I usually sleep from 9 or 10 till 3 or 4pm, you have the late afternoon and evening. Eat supper late and while at work, remember, no coffee after last break. When I come home I have my cereal and then go to bed.

How to switch? I find that with new workers, no matter what they do they are always dog-tired for a while because the body just isn't used to being up and fully productive at night. Just try to get lots of sleep before you go in and have a large coffee just to make sure.

If you have any more questions on how to cope, feel free to email me or write me here. Good luck!

I have a lot of experience with night shifts, and I agree with most of what Pooga and ANGLOFROG said. Another important factor is what you eat. When I first started night shifts, I found myself eating all kinds of cr__p, and I suffered because of it. Admit it of not, there are higher demands on your body when you work nights, so make sure you eat your veggies, lots of fruit, and take a lunch to work- no chippies and pop.
BTW I love working nights too, but my family has a different opinion…

I as well have had a lot of experience with night shifts.
One good piece of advice is that when you work nights all the time, get yourself switched and stay there, don't change your wake sleep habits on days off and its better for you in the long run. During your waking hours don't sit in the dark, this induces sleep and tiredness. Contrary to pooga, I find that if I am tired a nap in the evening helps. The best advice I can give you is, do what works for you and stick with it.

It plays havoc with anyone with a mood disorder, particularly as you get older. We're not 'hardwired' from an evolutionary standpoint to work after the sun goes down. It's kind of a result since electricity become really widespread in 1913.

I worked permanent nights for Securicor for three years - and went to WalMart Confed every night to stock the ABMs.

I found what worked best for me was as soon as I got home I'd have a bowl of cereal, and put my feet up for about half an hour watching Canada AM. Then I'd go to bed. Remember to turn off the phone. I adjusted to waking up around 2:30 because I always slept well.

On days off, I'd stay up until about three A.M. just so that the cycle wouldn't be broken too badly. Of course that was all out the door if I had a training weekend with the Militia!

Way back when I was working nights, 6 months ago, I found that getting a decent ammount of sleep during the day made all the difference in the world.

My secret?

Sleep eze D ( over the couter sleep aids ), and an eyepatch to keep out the light.

Now you are asking, "How do you sleep with that thing on your face?"

Easy, it takes about 3 minutes to get used to it. Then it is lights out. I can't even sleep at night without one. I think my body just knows that when the eyepatch goes on, it is time to sleep. Kinda like putting a blanket over a birdcage.

Keeping out the light was the biggest thing that helped me sleep during the day!

Congrats on the new job! It is good to hear that some people still have a job they like doing.

If I can also put my 5 cents worth in (inflation) I would suggest that you get a non-ringing answering machine for your telephone. It is incredible how many people will call you during the day and be astounded that you are asleep. Let them leave a message.
As to light, I used to cover my window with aluminum foil. It blocks all the light out, not just some of it like blinds or curtains do.
I agree, set a schedule and stick with it. If you usually sleep from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., continue to do that on your weekends as well. Or as near as you can. Where problems come in is if you are married and your spouse works during the day. On weekends they want to spend time with you and just can't seem to leave you alone while you sleep. You may have to modify your paterns if this is the case with you.
Good luck and congratulations on the new job. I hope you continue to enjoy yourself at work. If you don't like what you do for a living, is it really living?

I've been a night owl since as long as I can remember. I never needed those sleep aids to fall asleep. I'm like my dad in that respect, I can fall asleep slumped over a steering wheel or standing up. I like the nights cause the traffic is way less, people are in a good mood half of them are drunk, or stoned. But just live life like normal! The only difference is, your opposite to everyone else.